Automatic water-pipe cleaner.



J. E. J. EDMONDS.

AUTOMATIG WATER PIPE GLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 29, 1910.

Patented Oct. 17,1911.

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AUTOMATIC WATER-PIPE CLEANER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

Application filed August- 29, 1910. Serial No. 579,613.

To all whom fit may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH EDWARD JAMns EDMoNDs, a subject of His Majesty King George V, residing at Kalgoorlie, in the State of )Western Australia, Gommonwealth of Australia, have invented a new and useful Automatic )Vater-Pipe Cleaner, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a device which, being placed in a pipe, through which water or other fluid is flowing, will travel along the pipe and clean out all mud or other deposit, that is to say, it will remove the deposited material from the internal surface of the pipe and keep such material agitated or circulated while it is being carried along by the flow of water, and is eventually discharged or washed out by means of a sludge valve or the like. Thus by the use of this invention all pipes such as water mains, sewer pipes, sludge pipes and the like, can be kept clean and the full bore maintained without removing them from their position.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood, both as to its construction and the method of operation, I shall proceed to describe the same by the aid of the accom` panying drawings, in which similar characters are used to represent corresponding parts, wherever they occur.

Figure l is a front view of the machine. Fig. 2 is a section on line a. of the main body or frame without the brushes. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the complete machine with the brushes in position. Fig. t is a longitudinal section of the body or frame of the machine without the brushes. F ig. 5 is a back view of the machine.

For the purpose of my invention, I make a cylindrical brush with a body preferably of non-corrosive metal. One end, the front, (l) I construct cone or dome shaped and the other end (7) practically flat. The bristles of this brush may be arranged as any ordinary brush, but I lind the most effective arrangement is to place the bristles in the form of longitudinal rows or ribs slightly curved from end to end as (2). These ribs may be placed parallel to the longitudinal center line or at an angle to it as shown in the drawings. The latter method is preferable as it will assist to re` volve the machine.

I construct the body (3) of this machine of some light non-corrosive metal such as aluminium, and having grooves (4:) to receive the brushes (2) which latter are made to lit the grooves (4) and are held in position by means of the clamp plates (5) and countersunk headed screws The front end (l) and back end (7 are screwed into or otherwise secured to the body of the machine (3).

Into the back end (7) I lit a spindle (11) and against the back end (7) I place a rubber disk (12) which is held in position by a washer (9) and lock nuts (10) and on the end of the spindle (11) I secure a number of propeller blades as (8). The rubber disk (12) should fit the internal diameter of the pipe which it is required to clean.

I nd it advantageous to construct this machine hollow and of light material so that its weight is approximately the same as the weight displaced by it, so that it does not lie heavily on the bottom of the pipe, but practically floats and is easily revolved and rubs the whole internal surface of the pipe with equal pressure.

The method of operation of my invention is as follows :-In the water, sewer or other pipes or drain service, changing boxes or short lengths of pipe are fitted oil'ering means by which the cleaner may be inserted and removed. The machine is thus admitted to the pipe and closed in, the flow of water acts on the machine and carries it along, while the water acting on the propeller or turbine vanes revolves the machine. Such water as passes the machine acts on the brushes and assists in the rotating action. The bristles of the brush thus rub the internal surface of the pipe and effectually remove any deposited matter which, being loosened is carried along by the action of the water and the revolving brushes, and is washed out by means of sluice or sludge valves which are placed at intervals along the pipe.

)Vhat I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-

l. A pipe cleaner comprising in combination, a hollow cylindrical shell provided with longitudinally disposed brush receiving grooves arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said shell, brushes disposed in said grooves, means for anchoring said brushes in said grooves, a cap closing the front end of said shell, a cap closing the l rear end of said shell and provided with a threaded bore, a flexible disk disposed against the rear end of said cap, and a threaded rod anchored in said bore and provided with propeller blades.

2. A pipe cleaner comprising in combination, a hollow cylindrical shell, brushes longitudinally arranged on said shell and disposed at an angle to the longitudinal aXis thereof, a cap closing the front end of said shell, a cap closing the rear end of said shell and provided with a threaded bore, a fleXible disk disposed against said cap and pro` jecting outwardly from the shell to nornially engage the pipe, a threaded rod anchored in said bore and carrying propeller blades, and means on said rod for anchoring said disk to said rear cap. Y

3. A pipe cleaner comprising in combina` tion, an elongated body provided with longitudinally disposed brush receiving grooves arranged at an angle to its longitudinal axis, brushes anchored in said grooves and spaced'apart from each other, a iexible disk disposed at the rear end of said body and projecting laterally beyond the same to engage the wall of the pipe, and propeller blades disposed rearwardly with respect to said disk and anchored to said body.

et. A pipe cleaner comprising in combina tion, an elongated body provided with 1ongitudinally disposed brush receiving grooves arranged at an angle to its longitudinal axis, brushes anchored in said grooves, a rod projecting rearwardly from said body, a flexible disk anchored on said rod and against the rear ends of said body and projecting outwardly therefrom, and propeller blades disposed on said rod rearwardly of said disk.

In witness whereof I- have hereunto set iny hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH EDWARD JAMES EDMONDS. lVitnesses:

Guo. E. LAW, F. M. OHELIN.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

